What happened
During a nighttime flight conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the flight crew contacted Air Traffic Control to request a transition to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). While waiting for this clearance to be processed, the crew lost their navigational position and became disoriented. During this period of disorientation, the aircraft type struck a mountain slope in the vicinity of Kerhonkson.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. Both pilots survived the event, though they sustained two injuries during the crash.
Findings
Investigations determined that the accident was a result of controlled flight into terrain. The crew's loss of situational awareness led them to deviate from their intended path, eventually striking an unlit mountain ridge located approximately 7 miles to the right of their planned course.